ICA-AP organised a webinar on “Climate Smart Agriculture: Perspectives for the Asia and Pacific region” under the auspices of its newly constituted ICA-AP committee on Agriculture and Environment (ICAE). The webinar was held on April 25 and provided a platform for stakeholders to delve into the challenges and opportunities surrounding climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and its role in building resilient food systems.

In today’s world, climate change and food insecurity loom large as pressing challenges. The global agri-food system, responsible for one-third of all emissions, faces the daunting task of meeting the demands of a growing population while mitigating environmental impacts. Against this backdrop, CSA emerges as an approach which encompasses a spectrum of practices and technologies tailored to local contexts, aiming to enhance productivity, adapting to climate change, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. It emphasizes the integration of the SDGs, addressing economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

The webinar sought to foster dialogue on various facets of CSA, including its transformational potential, barriers to adoption, and opportunities for financing.  The event attracted a diverse audience comprising cooperative leaders, policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners. The event featured two expert speakers Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, Country Representative – India, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Dr. S. Naresh Kumar, Head Principal Scientist, Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI). 

Mr. Ganesh Gopal, Lead – Entrepreneurship Development, ICA-AP moderated the event and delivered the opening remarks setting the context and outlining the flexible and yet context-reliant approaches for CSA. Mr. Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director, ICA-AP delivered the welcome remarks and spoke about the need for greater awareness of climate resilient agriculture among cooperatives and collectives working in the region. 

The Keynote Address by Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, touched upon the need for an Agrifood Systems approach which incorporated agrifood industry development, the private sector engagement, involvement of youth, sustainable water use, soil health, farm efficiency, governance, stakeholder collaboration, capacity building, and policy frameworks.   Dr. S. Naresh Kumar in his thematic address delved into the scientific aspects of climate change and climate resilient practices. Both the presentations enriched the discussions and underscored the importance of collaborative action in addressing the challenges of climate change and food security.

The webinar’s question and answer session witnessed active participation from the audience who raised questions about the approach, depth and requirements for adopting CSA. The webinar concluded with the closing remarks by Mr. SP Singh, Managing Director, Indian Farm Forestry Development Cooperative (IFFDC)

The webinar served as a catalyst for advancing the agenda of CSA in the Asia-Pacific region. As we navigate the complexities of a changing climate and evolving food systems, cooperation and innovation will be paramount in realizing a sustainable future for all.

The newly established committee came into existence through the merger of two existing committees of the ICA-AP, namely the erstwhile ICA-AP Committee on Agriculture and the ICA-AP Committee on Forestry.

The 16th Regional Assembly of the ICA Asia and Pacific held on 9th November 2023 in Manila, Philippines ratified the proposal to establish the new Committee on Agriculture and Environment and its Constitution.